8 Bible Verses about Church Government

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, that their widows were neglected in the daily ministry. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said, It is not right that we should leave the word of God and serve tables; therefore, brethren, seek out among you seven men of whom you bear witness, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.read more.
And we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch: these they set before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

And having ordained elders for them in every congregation and having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed.

For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou should correct that which is lacking and set in place elders in every city, as I had commanded thee:

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the congregation .

The elders who are among you I exhort (I am also an elder with them and a witness of the afflictions of the Christ, and also a participant of the glory that shall be revealed). Feed the flock of God which is among you, caring for her, not by force, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with willing desire; and not as having lordship over the heritage of the Lord, but in such a manner as to be examples of the flock.read more.
And when the great Prince of the pastors shall appear, ye shall receive the incorruptible crown of glory.

The Word is faithful, If anyone desires the office of a bishop, , he desires a difficult ministry. It is expedient, therefore, that the bishop be blameless, the husband of only one wife, vigilant, temperate, of worldly affections mortified, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain, but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;read more.
one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all integrity; (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the congregation of God?) not a novice, lest being puffed up, he fall into judgment of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of those who are outside lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise the deacons must be honest, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of dishonest gain; holding the mystery of the faith together with a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them minister, if they are blameless. The wives likewise are to be honest, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of only one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those that minister well purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

He who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children who can not be accused of dissoluteness, nor insubordinate. For the bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God; not arrogant, not quick to anger, not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain, but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, temperate, just, holy, gentle,read more.
holding fast the doctrine according to the faithful word, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the congregation . And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility and with many tears and temptations, which have befallen me by the ambushes of the Jews,read more.
and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you and have taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews and also to the Gentiles, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound of the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, except that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that prisons and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear unto myself, only that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Therefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of everyone. For I have not refrained from declaring unto you the full counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops to feed the congregation of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.